Themed Tour Itineraries

• Route 66 Tour
• Science & Technology Tour 
• Nature Tour 
• Arts & History Tour 
• Sandia Mountain Tour 
• Jemez Mountain Tour 
• American Indian Cultural Tour 

Tour Albuquerque- with style
Here for a day or a week? Interested in technology? Nature? American Indian Culture? Are you alone, or traveling with your family? Looking for adventure or keeping a low profile?

We’ve got a tour for you. Route 66, Science & Technology, Nature, Arts & History, Sandia Mountains, Jemez Mountains, American Indian Culture—these are but a few of the areas to be explored in Albuquerque, and we present them here as recommended day tours. Mix and match! Make up your own! Speak to our information specialists and head out to discover what makes our city so special.

• Download the Self-Guided Tours map (PDF) 

Route 66 Tour
(4 hours, 4.2 miles/6.7 kilometers)
Neon signs still dot the landscape and Downtown is being restored to its former glory around what was once Albuquerque’s “main street.” Discover how the west was won along the Mother Road. With a focus on shopping, dining and architecture, this tour is a good introduction to the city. Follow the Red tour on the map.

• Historic Nob Hill District One of the first centralized shopping areas west of the Mississippi, Nob Hill is now a thriving residential and commercial district, housing boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. See Nob Hill
• University of New Mexico, founded in 1889, is the state’s largest university with over 32,000 students. Featuring Pueblo Revival architecture and relaxing ponds and gardens, the campus also houses museums: the Fine Arts Museum, the Jonson Gallery of Contemporary Art, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, and the Museum of Geology & Meteoritics.
• The District With the Central Corridor at its core, The District is coming to life: new restaurants, upscale retail, a 14-screen movie theater, and dynamic arts and music scenes. See Downtown
• Alvarado Transportation Center Built on the grounds and in the style of the majestic Alvarado Hotel, the center is Albuquerque’s hub for ground transportation. The passenger inter modal facility also houses transportation memorabilia. 1st Street and Central Ave.
• Crossroads Mall commemorates the crossroads of Route 66 and US Highway 85. The Crossroads sculpture points north to the Civic Plaza with its public fountain. 4th Street and Central Ave.
• KiMo Theatre and Art Gallery. The historic theater, which recently underwent an extensive renovation, was originally built to house vaudeville acts. It is famous for its Pueblo Deco architecture, particularly in its murals and plaster ceilings. See the KiMo Theatre
• Historic Old Town. The center of the original Villa of Albuquerque, Old Town’s quaint streets now house a variety of southwestern shops, restaurants and art galleries. See Old Town

Science & Technology Tour
(5 hours, 30 miles/48.2 kilometers)
Albuquerque has long been the intersection of past and future, where rich paleontological history blends with cutting-edge technology. Albuquerque continues to grow around science and technology, and it shows! Visit hands-on displays and “living” museums—there are so many ways to have fun and learn a little bit more during your Albuquerque stay. Follow the Royal Blue tour on the map.

• New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Explore an ice cave, stand inside a "live" volcano or ride the "Evolator" back to the Age of Dinosaurs-the museum offers fun and interest for the entire family. Visit exhibits on zoology, botany, geology and paleontology; the LodeStar Astronomy Center, a high-tech planetarium; and the renovated Extreme Screen DynaTheatre, featuring large-format films every hour on the hour.
• National Atomic Museum See displays and movies on the development of atomic energy and weapons as well as the latest advances in energy research at this thoroughly fascinating museum.
• University of New Mexico Museum of Geology & Meteoritics, on the UNM campus, 277-4204. See hundreds of minerals, meteorites, moon rocks and fossils.
• Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway is the world’s longest double reversible bi-cable aerial tramway. Ride 2.7 miles up to the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak, passing through four of the Earth’s seven life zones on the way. Be sure to bring your binoculars: wildlife such as bear and mule deer can sometimes be seen on the slopes below, and the view from the top is breathtaking.
  

Nature Tour
(5 hours, 25 miles/40.2 kilometers)
Albuquerque’s good fortune is also your own: Few cities are located amidst such natural beauty. Discover aquatic habitats—including a 285,000-gallon shark tank—at the Albuquerque Aquarium, an African savanah, raptor aviary and more at the Rio Grande Zoo, go back to the Age of Dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History and Science, and walk through the Bosque at the Rio Grande Nature Center. Follow the Teal tour on the map.

• The Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden Discover aquatic habitats, including a walk-through eel cave and a 285,000-gallon shark tank. You can also see films or visit the gift shop and restaurant. The Botanic Garden showcases the natural environment of the Rio Grande Valley through specialty gardens, Children's Fantasy Garden and desert and Mediterranean conservatories.
• Rio Grande Zoological Park Explore an African savannah, tropical rain forest, primate island, lobo woods, a birds of prey aviary, and more.
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Explore an ice cave, stand inside a "live" volcano or ride the "Evolator" back to the Age of Dinosaurs-the museum offers fun and interest for the entire family. Visit exhibits on zoology, botany, geology and paleontology; the LodeStar Astronomy Center, a high-tech planetarium; and the renovated Extreme Screen DynaTheatre, featuring large-format films every hour on the hour.
• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park A park preserve for the riverside wildlife of the bosque, the cottonwood groves that line the river. Enjoy the visitors center, exhibits on local ecology, geology and history, and nature trails.
• Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway Take Rio Grande Blvd through the Rio Grande Valley to Alameda and watch for pheasants, doves and roadrunners then proceed on Tramway Rd. Ride the tram 2.7 miles up to the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak, passing through four of the Earth’s seven life zones on the way. Be sure to bring your binoculars: wildlife such as bear and mule deer can sometimes be seen on the slopes below, and the view from the top is breathtaking.
  

Arts & History Tour
(8 hours, 12 miles/19 kilometers)
Albuquerque's famous multiculturalism and rich history are reflected in its public art, museums and architecture. From the world’s largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art, through historic architecture, to modern art displays and galleries — Albuquerque has it all. Follow the dark Orange tour on the map.

• Petroglyph National Monument The world's largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art. Over thousands of years, hunting parties chipped an estimated 17,000 petroglyphs into a dramatic lava rock escarpment. Three walking trails wind through the petroglyphs.
• Historic Old Town, bounded by Rio Grande Blvd, Central Ave and Mountain Rd. A bronze statue honors Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, Albuquerque's founder. Explore the art galleries lining Old Town's romantic streets and alleyways. See Old Town
• Albuquerque Museum of Art & History View permanent displays on the city's history along with traveling exhibits from around the world.
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Bronze dinosaur sculptures are among public works of art surrounding the museum.
• Historic KiMo Theatre and Art Gallery The theatre, which underwent extensive renovation this year, was originally built to house vaudeville acts. Famous for its Pueblo Deco architecture, particularly the murals and plaster ceilings.
• National Hispanic Cultural Center The center presents Hispanic arts and humanities in all forms: visual arts, drama, music, dance, literary arts, film, culinary arts, genealogy and more. There's also a gift shop, an amphitheater and an indoor/outdoor restaurant.
• The University of New Mexico is home to more examples of Pueblo Revival-style architecture, and several excellent collections: The Fine Arts Museum, in the Fine Arts Center, The Jonson Gallery of Contemporary Art and The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology.
• Tamarind Lithography Institute and Gallery, 505-277-3901. Gallery tours include a film on lithography and a printing demonstration. Reservations required.
• Nob Hill Shopping Center, Carlisle Blvd at Central. One of the first centralized shopping centers west of the Mississippi, Nob Hill now houses boutiques, art and excellent restaurants. See Nob Hill

Sandia Mountain Tour
(4-8 hours, 45-165 miles/72-266 kilometers)
The stunning peaks and valleys of the Sandia Mountains will captivate you, mind, body and spirit. Start with historic routes, awesome views and picnic spots; throw in a National Scenic Byway and wrap it up with a couple of ghost towns-turned artist communities. Follow the Green tour on the map.

• Tijeras ("Scissors") Canyon. This scenic, historic route has been traveled in years past by Indian traders, ‘49ers and scores of early settlers.
• Drive east on I-40. The Sandia ("Watermelon") Mountains (named for the watermelon-pink sunset glow on the mountains’ west side) are to the north, and the Manzano ("Apple") Mountains, named for the apple orchards planted in their foothills by early Spanish settlers, lie to the south.
• Leave I-40 at Exit 175, marked Cedar Crest and Tijeras. For maps and additional information, follow NM 337 south and visit the Sandia Ranger Station, 505-281-3304.
• If you follow the exit’s left fork, you will be heading north on NM 14, known as the Turquoise Trail.
• Continue onto NM 536 and start watching for a picnic spot. The route has been designated a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service. It passes through four life zones and curves through scenic overlooks on its way to the 10,678-foot Sandia Crest.
• Sandia Peak offers a view that, at times, encompasses 15,000 square miles. Mid-December through mid-March, enjoy those views from Sandia Peak Ski Area, in the Cibola National Forest, offering 30 trails serviced by four chairlifts, a surface lift and a children’s mitey mite. The ski area also features a certified ski school, a complete rental shop, skiers’ cafe, outdoor grill and a ski shop.
• Return to Albuquerque the way you came, or take a side trip: At the junction of NM 536 and NM 14, head north through beautiful landscapes and the gold and silver mining towns of Cerillos, Golden and Madrid. Once relegated to near ghost-town status, Madrid is once again a thriving community due to a recent influx of artists and entrepreneurs.

Jemez Mountain Tour
(3-8 hours, 74-127 miles/118-203 kilometers)
Enjoy the natural beauty of canyons, springs and forests while you absorb a bit of cultural history on this tour. Just north of the city, the Jemez Mountains offer the tranquility of nature, the intrigue of ancient cultures, the calm of hot springs—and the thriving community of Los Alamos. Follow the Pink tour on the map.

• Begin your drive just northwest of Albuquerque at the village of San Ysidro, where you can view the work of local artisans and tour a restored Spanish adobe church. The surrounding Jemez Mountains offer cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, fishing and famous natural hot springs.
• Follow the road along the Jemez River through brilliant red and orange canyons to Jemez (HAY-mez) Pueblo, about five miles from San Ysidro.
• At the historic village of Jemez Springs, you’ll find art galleries, restaurants, a mercantile store, and lodgings. Just above the village is Jemez State Monument, 505-829-3530, featuring exhibits and picnic areas. Jemez State Monument lies near remains of the ancient Towa Pueblo of Guisewa (a Towa word meaning ‘place of the boiling waters’) and the 17th-century Spanish Mission of San Jose de los Jemez.
• Soda Dam is a striking geothermal formation where minerals from a spring have created a dam that blocks the Jemez River. The river pours through a hole in the dam, forming a waterfall.
• A few miles past Battleship Rock, a sheer cliff that rises above the river like the prow of a ship, is the parking lot for Spence Hot Springs, one of the more accessible and scenic sites for a soak in hot mineral waters. Less than two miles from the springs is the small settlement of La Cueva, which offers a country store, restaurants and a lodge.
• Climbing east out of Jemez Canyon, enter Valle Grande, 8,500 feet high and one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. Although 14 miles across, only part of the caldera can be seen because the view is obscured by the great dome of Redondo Peak, 11,254 feet, is the highest point in Sandoval County.
• Bandelier National Monument, containing some of the nation’s most visited ancestral Puebloan sites, is part of a 50-square-mile wilderness area; trails to ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs radiate from the visitors center.
• Nearby Los Alamos, New Mexico’s famous "secret city," is now a thriving community of nearly 19,000. Perched high on Pajarito (pa-ha-REE-tow) Plateau, it offers galleries, museums, restaurants and lodgings. It’s also a four-season sportsman’s paradise. Enjoy the scenic drive back to Albuquerque!
• A great side trip is Tent Rocks Canyon, where erosion has sculpted tent-shaped rock formations topped off by boulders known as hoodoos, and sheer, dramatic slot canyons.

American Indian Cultural Tour
(4-6 hours, 40-60 miles/ 64.4-96.6 kilometers)
Follow the development of American Indian culture in the Rio Grande Valley from prehistory to present-a history some trace back to 8000 B.C. The living traditions of New Mexico’s Pueblos and Reservations add a particularly vibrant tone to our state’s cultural mosaic. No visit is complete without a trip through local American Indian history, culture, cuisine and art. Follow the tour on map below.

New Mexico's Pueblos and Reservations map (PDF)

•  Petroglyph National Monument Over thousands of years, hunting parties chipped an estimated 17,000 petroglyphs into a dramatic lava rock escarpment. Three walking trails wind through the petroglyphs.
• Drive through Corrales to Coronado State Monument, and the remains of Kuaua Pueblo, where Spanish explorer Coronado is thought to have spent the winter of 1540-41. Explore extensive ruins, an interpretive trail and a restored kiva.
• El Camino Real ("The Royal Road," which linked New Mexico to Old Mexico) leads back to Albuquerque through the Rio Grande Valley, beneath which some 15 pueblos lie unexcavated.
• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Discover arts and crafts from New Mexico’s 19 pueblos; dances are held on weekends year-round. The center has a restaurant, museum and gift shop.
• Acoma (AH-koh-mah) Pueblo An hour west of Albuquerque is the entrance to "Sky City" or Acoma Pueblo. One of the state’s most dramatic landmarks, Acoma sits atop a 376-foot-tall mesa overlooking the desert. Take a walking tour through the pueblo, the plaza and 17th-century mission church. Hour-long tours are available.
• Jemez (HAY-mez) Pueblo One hour northwest of Albuquerque, amidst dramatic red rocks, lies the Pueblo Village of Walatowa (native for Jemez). A visitors center provides information about the pueblo and Jemez Mountain Trail attractions. There's a gift shop, a small museum and interpretive tours. Please arrange tours in advance. 

 Before Touring the Pueblos see Native American Cultural Etiquette